Photo: WTCC Media

Franz Engstler looking for TC1 drive in 2015

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Franz Engstler is comfortably leading the Yokohama Drivers’ Trophy, as the FIA World Touring Car Championship is approaching the start of the final leg of the season.

The German has driven BMW cars ever since 2000, when he won the German Touring Car Challenge at the wheel of a BMW 320i. With the regulation changes making the Bavarian cars only eligible for the TC2 class for older cars for this year only, Franz Engstler decided to take part in the championship with a BMW 320 TC, bought from ROAL Motorsport during the off season.

In an interview with Spanish website Motor at Racing, Engstler confirmed he wants to continue in the championship next year, as well as praising BMW for his current car.

“I have to thank BMW and my team, because the car has improved a lot”, said the German. “You have to praise BMW because they were very loyal and provided us spare parts, but we also improved the set-up a lot compared to last year and I’m very proud of it.”

The positive season, which sees him lead his class with a 46 points margin over team-mate Pasquale Di Sabatino, who was only confirmed for the European arm of the Championship, seems to have reignited Engstler’s motivation.

“I feel more enthusiasm and energy than ever, I believe this is one of the best moments I’ve had in my career and I hope I will be able to stay in the Championship in the future,” he said.

Engstler is looking into competing in the TC1 class next year, which means he will have to switch from BMW for the first time in the WTCC.

“It is clear that we want to keep racing in the WTCC, and it is also clear that BMW are not going to build a TC1 car, so we will have to look for something else,” said Engstler.

Engstler will seek backing from his sponsor, Liqui Moly, to provide the required budget: “Obviously the required budget is higher, because of the cost of the new cars and their spare parts. I will talk to my long-time partner Liqui Moly and present a project. If they back me, then I will be on the grid with a TC1 car.”